DOCSLIB.ORG

Cicuta Virosa L

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Cicuta Virosa L Cicuta virosa L. Scientific Name : Cicuta virosa L. Synonym : Cicuta mackenzieana; Cicuta maculata; Cicuta douglasii,Cicuta californica, Cicuta vagans, Sium douglasii; Cicuta occidentalis; Cicuta bulbifera . Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae Genus: Cicuta Species: virosa English Vernacular Name: Mac Kenzie’s water hemlock Habitat: The plant is indigenous to Europe and Asia. Parts used: The homeopathic remedy Cicuta is prepared from the freshly expressed sap of the Cicuta or water hemlock plant. The root’s juice is collected when the plant is just beginning to blossom and blended with equal proportion of alcohol to prepare the medicine. Plant description: It is a native species of northern and central Europe , northern Asia and northwestern North America . It is a perennial herbaceous plant which grows up to 1–2 m tall. The stems are smooth, branching, swollen at the base, purple-striped, and hollow except for partitions at the junction of the leaves and stem. In cross section the stems have one flat side and the other sides are rounded. The leaves are alternate, tri-pinnate, only coarsely toothed, unlike the ferny, lacy leaves found in many other members of the family Apiaceae. The flowers are small, white and clustered in umbrella shaped inflorescences typical of the family. The many flowered umbellets have unequal pedicels that range from 5 to 11 cm long during fruiting. An oily, yellow liquid oozes from cuts to the stems and roots. This liquid has a rank smell resembling that of parsnips or carrots. The plant may be mistaken for parsnip due to its clusters of white tuberous roots . Chemical constituents: stigmasterol, falcarindiol , daucosterol .β-farnesene(22.7%), α-humulene (5.4%), humulene epoxide II (5.9%), caryophyllene oxide (3.4%), germacrene D (3.2%), α- farnesene (3.6%),myrcene(7.8%),hexadecanoic acid (8.4%),VirolA,Virol B, Virol C, isocicutoxin. Reported chemical constituents present in Cicutavirosa L. Cicutoxin Virol A 157 Virol B Isocicutoxin Virol C Farcarinol Falcarindiol β-farnesene α-humulene Humulene epoxide II Caryophyllene oxide 158 Germacrene D α-farnesene Myrcene Hexadecanoic acid Stigmasterol Daucosterol Mechanism of Action of Cicuta virosa : Cicutoxin the major toxic constituent of C. virosa acts as a GABA-receptor antagonist. Virol A another toxic component of C. virosa was found to selectively – inhibit the GABA A receptor Cl channel complexes at neuronal level in mammals . Medicinal uses: The root is analgesic, antispasmodic, emetic, galactofuge and sedative. The whole plant is highly toxic and is not used in herbal medicine. A homeopathic remedy has been made from this plant in the past. It was used in the treatment of epilepsy, meningitis and other ailments affecting the brain. In homoeopathy it is used for epilepsy, meningitis, ailments of brain, cancer of the skin, epithelioma, convulsive violence as in cerebrospinal meningitis, tetanus and other ailments that cause spasms. It is used effectively to treat migraine headaches, painful menstrual periods, skin inflammation, and worm infestations. Side effects & toxicity: Avoid water hemlock as it is highly toxic and may cause vomiting, acute renal failure, marked metabolic acidosis, drowsiness, seizures and convulsions, or unconsciousness that may lead to death. Taking water hemlock by mouth may cause severe illness with orthostatic hypotension or tachycardia. It may also cause dilated pupils, discoloration of the skin due a lack of oxygen in the 159 Actions of Herb: Used in trembling and sporadic jerks, particularly when the head is turned toward the back - for instance, in the case of meningitis, epilepsy, eclampsia and paralysis as well as for treating the repercussions of head injuries. In homeopathy, effective for skin eruptions or eczema on the beard or scalp, remedy for skin affections, pustules epileptic seizure convulsions/fits/seizures/epilepsy, heart disease, electric shock, alcohol use, barbiturates, intoxication or withdrawal, Brain illness or injury, brain tumor (rare), choking, drug abuse, heat illness, low blood sugar, meningitis, toxaemia of pregnancy, kidney failure (uraemia), very high blood pressure (malignant hypertension), venomous bites and stings, frequent micturition; the urine is propelled with great force, retention of urine. The characteristic properties are enuresis, vertigo, paralysis of bladder, hence involuntary urination, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, emetic, sedative, anti-carcinogenic, hepatoprotective, anxiolytic, lead antidote and dementia. Contraindications: Hyperlipidaemia, pregnancy and lactation. Incompatibilities with other medications: Water hemlock might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking water hemlock might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed . Range of application: 2-3 gram of root is potentially toxic. Chemical Identification Tests of C. virosa The presence of following chemical class compounds was detected in C. virosa extract by chemical colour reaction test: saponins, carbohydrates, sterols and steroids Microscopic examination of C. virosa Rhizomes of C. virosa of any age were covered with multi-layer cover tissue; no connective tissue was found. Starch granules were seen in the parenchyma cells surrounding secretory ducts, especially in phloem. Colorless droplets of fat and gold-yellow cicutoxin were found in most of the basal tissue cells (Blackwell 1773; Köhler 1890) See figure below. Figure: Cicuta virosa L. and its diagnostic features 160 Thin-layer Chromatography of C. virosa In chloroform: ethanol: water (80: 20: 2) at 254nm following Rf values were observed 0.09, 0.12, 0.28, 0.39, 0.60, 0.66, 0.78 while at 366 calculated Rf values were. In ethyl acetate: methanol: water (100: 16.5: 13.5) solvent system Rf values at 254nm were 0.12 and 0.22 whereas at 366nm were 0.07, 0.15, 0.26, 0.35, 0.46, 0.73 and 0.91. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of C. virosa In FT-IR spectrum of C. virosa diagnostic peaks were found at 3300 (OH), 2917.14 (C-H), 1593.19 and 1503.29 (aromatic ring), 1050 (C-O-C) cm -1. High Performance Liquid Chromatography of C. virosa HPLC profiles of the lipophilic extracts of different organs, individuals, and provenances of C. virosa harvested at different seasons revealed quantitative but not qualitative variations of the polyacetylene composition. Insecticidal activity of C. virosa C. virosa exhibited mean mortality time 4.8±2.25 hours at the dose of 10mg/2ml. At the dose of 50mg/2ml of C. virosa , mean mortality time 5.6±2.19 was found. C. virosa at the dose of 100mg/2ml showed mean mortality time i.e. 10.8±2.55 hours as compared to control and Permethrin (Standard drug). Anthelmintic activity of C. virosa C. virosa at dose of 100mg/ml exhibited paralysis and means paralysis time is 3±0 hours, and mean mortality time 24 ±0 hours. The results were compared with control and standard drug Albendazole. Molluscicidal activity of C. virosa C. virosa showed significant dose and time dependent molluscicidal activity. At 25 mg/ml mean paralysis time was found 24 ±16.62 hours and mortality time 48 ±16.62. At 50 and 75mg/ml mean paralysis time was 48 ±8.31 hours and mean mortality time was 48 ±16.62 hours. At 100 and 500 mg/ml mean paralysis time observed was 48 ±0 hours and mean mortality time 72 ±0 hours. Mean paralysis time was found 24±0 hours and mean mortality time 48 ±0 hours at 1000mg/ml of C. virosa . 161 Anti-fungal activity of C. virosa C. virosa showed anti-fungal activity in terms of zone of inhibition against yeast ( Candida albicans , Candida albicans ATCC 0383 , Candida galbrata ), dermatophytes ( Microsporum canis, Trichophytontons urans ), Saprophytes ( Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp). C. virosa exhibited minimum inhibitory concentration against following fungal pathogens (Yeasts - Candida albicans, Candida albicans ATCC 0383 and Candida galbrata ; Saprophytes – Aspergillus flavus , Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. ). Anti-oxidant effects of C. virosa At dose of 1mg/ml of C. virosa 80% DPPH scavenging activity was found. Total anti-oxidant activity observed was 74.27% while IC 50 was found 0.6µg/ml. Neuropharmacological activity of C. virosa The anxiolytic activity was assessed using open field, head dip, light and dark, cage cross and swimming. At the dose of 100mg/kg of C. virosa , CNS inhibitory effects were observed in following activities: In open field activity 73.33 ±3.28 counts in 30 minutes were observed; in light and dark activity, mice entries in light compartment were 5.16 ±1.07 times; and in forced swimming test (FST) the mean forced mobility time recorded was 1.16 ±0.02 seconds. While at the dose of 500mg/kg of C. virosa , central nervous system inhibition was observed in cage cross test and dip cage activity. The readings of cage cross were found 13.83 ±3.75 times and during dip cage activity, the mice dipped its head 6.5 ±0.83 times. Locomotor and exploratory activity was observed to be substantially reduced in comparison to control and standard Diazepam (2 mg/kg -1). Analgesic activity of C. virosa using Acetic acid Analgesic activity is widely assessed by acetic acid method. The abdominal constrictions were observed. C. virosa at the dose of 50 mg/kg exhibited maximum inhibition of writhes, in first phase (57.67%) second (3.26%) and third phase (0%). While at the dose of 25 mg/kg C. virosa inhibition of writhes were observed as follow: 46.25% (first phase), 4.17% (second phase) and 28.57% (third phase). Analgesic activity of C. virosa using Formalin The results of analgesic activity using formalin exhibited prominent analgesic effect in comparison with aspirin (orally administered, 300 mg/kg). The analgesic effect of aspirin in phase 1, 2 and 3 were 32.88%, 61.54% and 41.41% respectively.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Poisonous Plants of the Southern United States
    Poisonous Plants of the Southern United States Poisonous Plants of the Southern United States Common Name Genus and Species Page atamasco lily Zephyranthes atamasco 21 bitter sneezeweed Helenium amarum 20 black cherry Prunus serotina 6 black locust Robinia pseudoacacia 14 black nightshade Solanum nigrum 16 bladderpod Glottidium vesicarium 11 bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum 5 buttercup Ranunculus abortivus 9 castor bean Ricinus communis 17 cherry laurel Prunus caroliniana 6 chinaberry Melia azederach 14 choke cherry Prunus virginiana 6 coffee senna Cassia occidentalis 12 common buttonbush Cephalanthus occidentalis 25 common cocklebur Xanthium pensylvanicum 15 common sneezeweed Helenium autumnale 19 common yarrow Achillea millefolium 23 eastern baccharis Baccharis halimifolia 18 fetterbush Leucothoe axillaris 24 fetterbush Leucothoe racemosa 24 fetterbush Leucothoe recurva 24 great laurel Rhododendron maxima 9 hairy vetch Vicia villosa 27 hemp dogbane Apocynum cannabinum 23 horsenettle Solanum carolinense 15 jimsonweed Datura stramonium 8 johnsongrass Sorghum halepense 7 lantana Lantana camara 10 maleberry Lyonia ligustrina 24 Mexican pricklepoppy Argemone mexicana 27 milkweed Asclepias tuberosa 22 mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia 6 mustard Brassica sp . 25 oleander Nerium oleander 10 perilla mint Perilla frutescens 28 poison hemlock Conium maculatum 17 poison ivy Rhus radicans 20 poison oak Rhus toxicodendron 20 poison sumac Rhus vernix 21 pokeberry Phytolacca americana 8 rattlebox Daubentonia punicea 11 red buckeye Aesculus pavia 16 redroot pigweed Amaranthus retroflexus 18 rosebay Rhododendron calawbiense 9 sesbania Sesbania exaltata 12 scotch broom Cytisus scoparius 13 sheep laurel Kalmia angustifolia 6 showy crotalaria Crotalaria spectabilis 5 sicklepod Cassia obtusifolia 12 spotted water hemlock Cicuta maculata 17 St. John's wort Hypericum perforatum 26 stagger grass Amianthum muscaetoxicum 22 sweet clover Melilotus sp .
    [Show full text]
  • Apiaceae) - Beds, Old Cambs, Hunts, Northants and Peterborough
    CHECKLIST OF UMBELLIFERS (APIACEAE) - BEDS, OLD CAMBS, HUNTS, NORTHANTS AND PETERBOROUGH Scientific name Common Name Beds old Cambs Hunts Northants and P'boro Aegopodium podagraria Ground-elder common common common common Aethusa cynapium Fool's Parsley common common common common Ammi majus Bullwort very rare rare very rare very rare Ammi visnaga Toothpick-plant very rare very rare Anethum graveolens Dill very rare rare very rare Angelica archangelica Garden Angelica very rare very rare Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica common frequent frequent common Anthriscus caucalis Bur Chervil occasional frequent occasional occasional Anthriscus cerefolium Garden Chervil extinct extinct extinct very rare Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley common common common common Apium graveolens Wild Celery rare occasional very rare native ssp. Apium inundatum Lesser Marshwort very rare or extinct very rare extinct very rare Apium nodiflorum Fool's Water-cress common common common common Astrantia major Astrantia extinct very rare Berula erecta Lesser Water-parsnip occasional frequent occasional occasional x Beruladium procurrens Fool's Water-cress x Lesser very rare Water-parsnip Bunium bulbocastanum Great Pignut occasional very rare Bupleurum rotundifolium Thorow-wax extinct extinct extinct extinct Bupleurum subovatum False Thorow-wax very rare very rare very rare Bupleurum tenuissimum Slender Hare's-ear very rare extinct very rare or extinct Carum carvi Caraway very rare very rare very rare extinct Chaerophyllum temulum Rough Chervil common common common common Cicuta virosa Cowbane extinct extinct Conium maculatum Hemlock common common common common Conopodium majus Pignut frequent occasional occasional frequent Coriandrum sativum Coriander rare occasional very rare very rare Daucus carota Wild Carrot common common common common Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo very rare, prob.
    [Show full text]
  • Flowering Plants Eudicots Apiales, Gentianales (Except Rubiaceae)
    Edited by K. Kubitzki Volume XV Flowering Plants Eudicots Apiales, Gentianales (except Rubiaceae) Joachim W. Kadereit · Volker Bittrich (Eds.) THE FAMILIES AND GENERA OF VASCULAR PLANTS Edited by K. Kubitzki For further volumes see list at the end of the book and: http://www.springer.com/series/1306 The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants Edited by K. Kubitzki Flowering Plants Á Eudicots XV Apiales, Gentianales (except Rubiaceae) Volume Editors: Joachim W. Kadereit • Volker Bittrich With 85 Figures Editors Joachim W. Kadereit Volker Bittrich Johannes Gutenberg Campinas Universita¨t Mainz Brazil Mainz Germany Series Editor Prof. Dr. Klaus Kubitzki Universita¨t Hamburg Biozentrum Klein-Flottbek und Botanischer Garten 22609 Hamburg Germany The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants ISBN 978-3-319-93604-8 ISBN 978-3-319-93605-5 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93605-5 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018961008 # Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
    [Show full text]
  • La Cicuta: Poison Hemlock
    ALERTA DE MALA HIERBA NOCIVA EN EL CONDADO DE KING Cicuta Mala hierba nociva no regulada de Clase B: Poison Hemlock Control recomendado Conium maculatum Familia Apiaceae Cómo identificarla • Bienal que alcanza de 8 (2.4 m) a 10 pies (3 m) de altura el segundo año. • Hojas color verde encendido tipo helecho con un fuerte olor a moho • El primer año, las plantas forman rosetas basales de hojas muy divididas y tallos rojizos con motas • El segundo año, los tallos son fuertes, huecos, sin pelos, con nervaduras y con motas/rayas rojizas o púrpuras • Plantas con flores cubiertas con numerosos racimos pequeños con forma de paraguas de diminutas flores blancas de cinco pétalos • Las semillas se forman en cápsulas verdes y acanaladas que con el tiempo La cicuta tiene hojas de color verde se vuelven marrones brillante, tipo helecho con olor a moho. Biología Se reproduce por semilla. El primer año crece en forma de roseta; el segundo, desarrolla tallos altos y flores. Crece rápidamente entre marzo y mayo; florece a finales de la primavera. Cada planta produce hasta 40,000 semillas. Las semillas caen cerca de la planta y se desplazan por la erosión, los animales, la lluvia y la actividad humana. Las semillas son viables hasta por 6 años y germinan durante la temporada de crecimiento; no requieren un periodo de letargo. Impacto Altamente tóxica para el ser humano, el ganado y la vida silvestre; causa Los tallos gruesos y sin pelos tienen la muerte por parálisis respiratoria tras su ingestión. El crecimiento manchas o vetas de color púrpura o rojizo.
    [Show full text]
  • Circumscription of Apiaceae Tribe Oenantheae
    South African Journal of Botany 2004, 70(3): 393–406 Copyright © NISC Pty Ltd Printed in South Africa — All rights reserved SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY ISSN 0254–6299 Circumscription of Apiaceae tribe Oenantheae TM Hardway1, K Spalik2, MF Watson3, DS Katz-Downie1 and SR Downie1* 1 Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, United States of America 2 Department of Plant Systematics and Geography, Warsaw University, Aleje Ujazdowskie 4, 00-478 Warsaw, Poland 3 Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, Scotland, United Kingdom * Corresponding author, email: [email protected] Received 18 August 2003, accepted in revised form 17 November 2003 Previous molecular systematic investigations into the Sium and Trepocarpus. Relationships inferred from higher-level relationships of Apiaceae subfamily phylogenetic analyses of nuclear rDNA ITS sequences Apioideae have revealed a strongly supported clade from 64 accessions representing all 17 genera reveal recognised as tribe Oenantheae Dumort. These plants that four genera are not monophyletic. Bifora and may have clusters of fibrous or tuberous-thickened Cryptotaenia have members that fall outside of the tribe; roots, corky-thickened fruits, and other adaptations for Berula and Sium each comprise two or more lineages existence in wet or aquatic habitats. In some species, within Oenantheae. The St Helena endemics, Sium the leaves may be finely dissected or linear-septate and bracteatum and S. burchellii, ally with African Berula much reduced. We have initiated collaborative studies erecta; this clade is sister to the African endemic to produce a comprehensive estimate of phylogeny of species Sium repandum and Afrocarum imbricatum, the tribe, but such investigations are thwarted because and this entire group is allied closely with north tem- information on the composition of the tribe is lacking.
    [Show full text]
  • POISON HEMLOCK (Conium Maculatum)
    POISON HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum) · Poison hemlock grows four to ten feet tall. · The stem is branched and smooth, mottled with purple spots. · The leaves are shiny green, fern-like and finely divided, with a musty smell. · The white flowers are in umbrella-shaped heads. · Member of the carrot family. Look-a-likes: Wild carrot (Daucus carota) is common on roadsides throughout Clallam County. It is smaller than poison hemlock, growing two to four feet tall, The stem is hairy, and does not have purple spots. The leaves smell like carrots when crushed. Wild carrot is mildly toxic to some livestock and is a Class B weed because it is very invasive in pastures. Bur chervil (Anthriscus caucalis) grows in WHY BE CONCERNED? damp environments, Ø All parts of the plant are poisonous. similar to those Ø The toxins are present in dried plants and occupied by poison decompose slowly. hemlock. The plants Ø Affects livestock such as cows, horses, are very similar, but and pigs; pregnant animals may abort or bur chervil has a produce offspring with birth defects. fringe of hairs where Photo by courtesy of “Weeds of the West.” Ø Poisoning in humans often occurs when the leaf meets the the plant is confused with other, edible main stem. members of the carrot family. Ø Invades pastures and riparian areas Western water-hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) is displacing native plants or valuable forage reported to be the most poisonous plant in the species. temperate zone. It is a native plant, found in moist areas along streams and ditches. For Poison hemlock is a Class C weed, pictures and information on identifying western which has been selected for control water hemlock, see the web page of the Noxious throughout Clallam County.
    [Show full text]
  • Poisonous Hemlocks
    POISONOUS HEMLOCKS THEIR IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL J . M. Tucker • M. E. Fowle r • W. A. Harvey • L. J. Berry .. POISONOUS HEMLOCKS THEIR IDENTIFI CA TION AND CONTROL THE poisonous plants referred to in this publica­ tion as "hemlocks" are members of the carrot or parsley family, Umbelliferae, and should not be confused with true hemlocks, which are coniferous trees of the pine family, Pinaceae. Poisonous hem­ locks are of two genera: Conium (Poison Hemlock), and Cicuta {Water Hemlock). They have a general family resemblance to one another but are not closely related; their toxic properties and effects are different, they present different problems to the live­ stock industry, and they have different diagnostic features. THE AUTHORS: J.M. Tucker is Professor of Botany and Botanist in the Experiment Station, Davis; M. E. Fowler is Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medicine and Assistant Veterinarian in the Experiment Station, Davis; W. A. Harvey is Extension Weed Control Specialist, Agri­ cultural Extension Service, Davis; L. J. Berry is Range Manage­ ment Specialist, Agricultural Extension Service, University ol California, Davis. OCTOBER, 1964 --------WARNING-------- 2,4-D is classified as an injurious material, by the State Department of Agriculture, and before it can be purchased or used a permit must be obtained from the County Agricultural, Commissioner. It should be used with care and at a time and in such a manner that it will not drift to other plants or properties and cause injury to susceptible plants or result in an illegal residue on other food or feed crops. THE GROWER IS RESPONSIBLE for residues on his own crops as well as for problems caused by drift of a chemical from his property to other properties or crops.
    [Show full text]
  • Northwest Native Plant Journal a Monthly Web Magazine (Formerly NW Native Plant Newsletter)
    Volume 2, Issue 5, 2004 May 2004 NorthwestNorthwest NativeNative PlantPlant JournalJournal (formerly NW Native A Monthly Web Plant Newsletter) Magazine Lewisia: Meriweather Lewis’ Colorful Legacy Lacy White Flowers: How the Dogwood got it’s name Good,Good, BadBad oror Deadly?Deadly? Valuable Plant Information on the Internet The WildPublished Garden: Hansen’s by Northwest The NativeWild Plant Garden: Database Hansen’s Northwest Native Plant PageDatabase 1 Northwest Native Plant Journal A Monthly Web Magazine (formerly NW Native Plant Newsletter) Departments Contents About this Monthly Web Magazine.....3 On the Cover of our Journal...............4 Lewisia: Historic Plants of the NW Story by Wally Hansen, Do you know this rare plant? Correctly Native Lily Photos by Don Eastman........7 identify and get a treat! (Botanical names only).....................................................5 How the Dogwood Got it’s Name To Do list for native plants..................6 Article by Jennifer Rehm........................14 Coming next month...........................31 Personal notes from Wally...............32 Lacy White Flowers Good, Bad or Deadly?............................16 Additional about trees.......................34 Useful Plant Databases on the Web Jennifer Rehm, Editor, author, webmaster for The Wild Garden: Hansen’s Northwest Native Plant Database Native Plant Internet Resources............28 website: www.nwplants.com e-Mail: [email protected] All rights reserved. This entire publication Copyright © 2012 The Wild Garden: Hansen’s Northwest Native Plant Database. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means--graphic, electronic, or mechanical--without the written permission of Jennifer Rehm,The Wild Garden, except for reviewers who may quote brief passages. Any request for photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems of any part of this publication shall be directed in writing to the publisher: Jennifer Rehm, The Wild Garden: Hansen’s Northwest Native Plant Database.
    [Show full text]
  • Poison-Hemlock (Conium Maculatum L.)1
    Weed Technology. 1998. Volume 12:194-197 Intriguing World of Weeds iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.iii Poison-Hemlock (Conium maculatum L.) 1 LARRY W. MIT1CH2 "He that bites on every weed must needs light on poison." Comp/eat Collection of English Proverbs. John Ray, 1742 INTRODUCTION AND ETYMOLOGY has been used to designate this plant since the Anglo­ Saxon period (Le Strange 1977). The genus Conium is comprised of two or three tem­ The Old English hymlice was a medicinal plant, prob­ perate species of biennial herbs with highly divided ably Conium, but in Modern English the plant is chiefly leaves and compound umbels of small white flowers. All referred to as a weed. The definite reference to it as parts of C. maculatum have long been recognized as poisonous appears to begin with the 16th century herb­ being highly poisonous; it was the alists. The term hemlock for Conium maculatum first plant used to kill Socrates in BC appeared in about AD 700 as hymblicae. Through the 399 (Gledhill 1985; Holm et al. centuries, spelling and pronunciation took on many 1997; Hyam and Pankhurst 1995). forms, ranging from hymlice to hymlic, hemeluc, hem­ Conium is a member of the Um­ lake, hemlocke, hemloc, and finally hemlock. William belliferae or Apiaceae, the carrot Shakespeare, in Life of Henry the Fifth, first used the family, which accommodates 300 modern spelling. Wrote the bard, "Her fallow Leas, The genera and between 2,500 and Darnell, Hemlock, and ranke Femetary, Doth root upon" 3,000 species. Umbelliferae is one (Simpson and Weiner 1989). of the best known families of flowering plants because Poison-hemlock is native to Europe, northern Africa, of its characteristic inflorescences and fruits and the dis­ and western Asia and was often introduced to new areas tinctive chemistry reflected in the odor, flavors, and even as an ornamental garden plant (Holm et al.
    [Show full text]
  • BWSR Featured Plant Name: Purple-Stemmed Angelica
    BOARD OF WATER rn, AND SOIL RESOURCES 2018 December Plant of the Month BWSR Featured Plant Name: Purple-stemmed Angelica (Angelica atropurpurea) Plant family: Carrot (Apiaceae) Purple-stemmed A striking 6 to 9 feet tall, purple- Angelica grows in stemmed Angelica is one of moist conditions in full sun to part Minnesota’s tallest wildflowers. This shade, reaching as robust herbaceous perennial grows tall as 9 feet. along streambanks, shores, marshes, Photo Credit: calcareous fens, springs and sedge Karin Jokela, Xerces Society meadows — often in calcium-rich alkaline soils. The species epithet “atropurpurea” comes from the Latin words āter (“dark”) Plant Stats and purpūreus (“purple”), in reference to the deep purple color of the stem. WETLANDSTATEWIDE Flowers bloom from May to July. Like INDICATOR other plants in the carrot family, the STATUS: OBL flowers provide easy-to-access floral PLANTING resources for a wide diversity of flies, METHODS: bees and other pollinators. Although Bare-root, not confirmed for this species, the containers, nectar of other members of the Angelica seed genus can have an intoxicating effect on insects. Both butterflies and bumble bees are reported to lose flight ability, or fly clumsily, for a short period after consuming the nectar. Purple-stemmed Angelica is a host plant for the Eastern black swallowtail butterflyPapilio ( polyxenes asterius) and the umbellifera borer moth (Papaipema birdi). Uses Native American cultures. The consumption must be done projects. Restorationists plant also has many culinary with EXTREME CAUTION. appreciate its ability to Purple-stemmed Angelica uses: the flavorful stems are The similar water hemlock tolerate wet soils, part shade has a long history of human similar in texture to celery and poison hemlock are both and high weed pressure use.
    [Show full text]
  • Poison Hemlock a 60 Year Old Female Ate “Wild Carrots” Pulled from the Ground Behind Her Home
    August 2016 Poison Center Hotline: 1-800-222-1222 The Maryland Poison Center’s Monthly Update: News, Advances, Information Poison Hemlock A 60 year old female ate “wild carrots” pulled from the ground behind her home. One hour later, she began vomiting. She called 911 and the poison cen- ter complaining also of lightheadedness, dizziness and shortness of breath. EMS transported her and a sample of the plant to the emergency department (ED). In the ED, she was awake and alert, HR 120, BP 176/110, RR 22, O2 satu- Conium maculatum ration 98% on room air. All symptoms resolved within 24 hours of the inges- tion and she was discharged on day 2. The ED staff identified the plant as “poison hemlock” by means of an internet search. Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is an invasive herb in the carrot (Apiaceae) family. It can be found along roads, ditches, fences, streams, or anywhere with adequate moisture, throughout the U.S. Other common names for the plant are deadly hemlock, poison parsley, and winter fern. The poison hemlock plant grows to 4-10 feet tall and has a smooth, non-hairy, hollow stem with red-purple streaks. These blotches are called the “blood of Socrates” as poison hemlock was reportedly used to kill Socrates. The small white flowers grow in -4 6 inch wide “umbels” or clusters that resemble um- brellas. The leaves have a lacy, fern-like appearance. The roots are creamy- Did you know? white and look like carrots or parsnips. When crushed, poison hemlock has an Water hemlock is also known as unpleasant, musty odor.
    [Show full text]
  • OLFS Plant List
    Checklist of Vascular Plants of Oak Lake Field Station Compiled by Gary E. Larson, Department of Natural Resource Management Trees/shrubs/woody vines Aceraceae Boxelder Acer negundo Anacardiaceae Smooth sumac Rhus glabra Rydberg poison ivy Toxicodendron rydbergii Caprifoliaceae Tatarian hone ysuckle Lonicera tatarica* Elderberry Sambucus canadensis Western snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis Celastraceae American bittersweet Celastrus scandens Cornaceae Redosier dogwood Cornus sericea Cupressaceae Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana Elaeagnaceae Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia* Buffaloberry Shepherdia argentea* Fabaceae Leadplant Amorpha canescens False indigo Amorpha fruticosa Siberian peashrub Caragana arborescens* Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos* Fagaceae Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa Grossulariaceae Black currant Ribes americanum Missouri gooseberry Ribes missouriense Hippocastanaceae Ohio buckeye Aesculus glabra* Oleaceae Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Pinaceae Norway spruce Picea abies* White spruce Picea glauca* Ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa* Rhamnaceae Common buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica* Rosaceae Serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia Wild plum Prunus americana Hawthorn Crataegus succulenta Chokecherry Prunus virginiana Siberian crab Pyrus baccata* Prairie rose Rosa arkansana Black raspberry Rubus occidentalis Salicaceae Cottonwood Populus deltoides Balm-of-Gilead Populus X jackii* White willow Salix alba* Peachleaf willow Salix amygdaloides Sandbar willow Salix exigua Solanaceae Matrimony vine Lycium barbarum* Ulmaceae
    [Show full text]